Stand-up comedian Brian Petrasek thinks that what the world needs now is laughs, and he’s willing to do his part to see that it happens. And when those laughs can be combined with a good cause, then, for him, that’s about as good as it gets.

Tonight, Petrasek will be joining a lineup of other comedians who will do just that when they present Comedy For a Cause at the Fox Event Center in downtown Redlands.

A Redlands resident, Petrasek, who turned 30 in August, aims high when he performs.

“I’d like to see a world where people are laughing rather than fighting some war,” he says. “And maybe if more people could laugh, we wouldn’t have so many wars.”

The comedian’s bid to bring more laughs to the world began in 2003, when he first performed stand-up for around 25 people at an open mic night in La Jolla.

That evening he scored enough laughs to convince himself that he should keep at it, and has for what’s now approaching his 10th year in stand-up. Which isn’t to say that’s it all been smooth sailing.

“It takes years to find your voice,” Petrasek says.

“And sometimes an audience just doesn’t understand what you’re doing, or gets offended. Comedians do that. But when they do understand, that makes it all worthwhile.”

Before that first open mic in La Jolla, Petrasek was inspired by such comedians at Robin Williams, and the sharp, social commentary of George Carlin, who was able to “make people laugh and think at the same time.”

“That’s a great talent,” Petrasek observes, although he leans more toward stories from his own life. Besides those, he also peppers his act with some dead-on impressions, including a memorable version of a gravelly Louis Armstrong.

Petrasek says that the journey to tonight’s show began some six years ago.

Following his debut in La Jolla, it was on to Los Angeles, where Petrasek made a lasting connection when he crossed paths with fellow comedian, Richard Weiss at a club there, and, “We hit it off.”

Weiss, whose production company is behind tonight’s Comedy For a Cause, also likes causes, and the show will benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates for foster children.

“His fiancee works for them,” Petrasek said.

Other comedians joining Weiss and Petrasek tonight will include the comedy team of Carl and Buzz, Joey Eagan, and headliner Steve Mittleman, who’s appeared on “Larry King Live,” “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, as well as appearances on the David Letterman show and “Celebrity Makeover” with Kathy Griffin.

Petrasek, who, when he isn’t doing stand-up, tutors students in the San Bernardino school district, is looking forward to tonight’s show, when he will have another chance to bring the gift of laughter to a frequently troubled world, and raise funds for a worthy cause at the same time.

Join the Conversation

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com.